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For fans of Heartstopper, craving more shows with that mix of heartfelt moments and genuine character connections, here's a lineup of 25 TV series that hit the mark.
Think raw emotions, real-life struggles, and those light-hearted moments that bring a smile, or a tear, just like Heartstopper does.
A reboot of the iconic Australian series set in a contemporary high school, focusing on the lives and relationships of students and staff, dealing with issues of identity, sexuality, and friendship in a gritty, realistic manner.
2. "Please Like Me" (2013) Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
After his girlfriend breaks up with him, a young man comes to terms with his sexuality and navigates the complexities of adult life, relationships, and mental health alongside his eccentric friends and family.
Set in the 1990s during the end of The Troubles in Northern Ireland, this series follows the personal exploits and mishaps of a group of teenage girls (and one English boy) attending a Catholic girls' secondary school.
A Swedish prince, sent to an elite boarding school after a scandal, struggles with his royal duties, desires for love and freedom, and the expectations placed upon him, all while developing a complex relationship with a fellow student.
5. "Everything's Gonna Be Okay" (2020) Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
After their father's sudden death, a young man decides to take care of his two half-sisters, navigating the challenges of guardianship, family dynamics, and personal growth together.
6. "Bump" (2021) Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%
An ambitious teenage girl's life is turned upside down when she unexpectedly gives birth, leading her to navigate the challenges of unexpected motherhood with the help of her friends and family.
A socially awkward teenager with a sex therapist mother teams up with a whip-smart classmate to start an underground sex therapy clinic at their school, offering advice to fellow students and navigating their own sexual and emotional issues.
Based on the true adventures of Stede Bonnet, a pampered aristocrat who abandons his life of luxury to become a pirate, encountering the infamous Blackbeard, leading to an unlikely and comedic partnership.
9. "The End of the F*ing World" (2017) Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
Two teenagers, a self-proclaimed psychopath and a rebellious girl, embark on a road trip to find her real father, leading to a series of violent events and a deepening bond between them.
10. "Never Have I Ever" (2020) Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%
After a traumatic year, an Indian-American teenager wants to change her social status, but friends, family, and feelings do not make it easy for her, leading to humorous and heartfelt moments.
After their wealthy family loses their fortune, the Roses are forced to relocate to Schitt's Creek, a small town they once bought as a joke, where they must adjust to life without luxury while living in a rundown motel.
12. "Julie and the Phantoms" (2020) Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%
A young girl finds her passion for music and life reignited when she forms a band with three ghostly musicians, each with their own unfinished business, leading to adventures in friendship and musical fame.
A new student at Creekwood High School, Victor, embarks on a journey of self-discovery, facing challenges at home, adjusting to a new city, and exploring his sexual orientation, reaching out to Simon when it seems too difficult to navigate on his own.
Tracing the tender but complicated relationship of Marianne and Connell from the end of their school days in a small town on the west coast of Ireland to their undergraduate years at Trinity College, exploring how they weave in and out of each other's lives.
An American college football coach with no soccer experience is unexpectedly hired to coach a professional soccer team in England, where his relentless optimism and unconventional methods begin to win over the skeptical team and town.
16. "Atypical" (2017) Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
A teen on the autism spectrum decides it's time to find a girlfriend and become more independent, setting off changes that affect his whole family as they all struggle with personal and social issues.
17. "I Am Not Okay With This" (2020) Rotten Tomatoes score: 86%
A teenage girl grappling with her sexuality and the complexities of high school life discovers she has telekinetic powers, leading her on a path of self-discovery and confronting her inner demons.
A rebellious Brooklyn teenager is sent to live with family friends in Australia for the summer, where she discovers a passion for surfing and forms close bonds that teach her about love, friendship, and finding herself.
A loner and a star athlete at a rugby-obsessed boarding school become unlikely friends, and their bond is tested by the school's traditionalist environment and the pressures of conformity.
After waking up in a morgue with inexplicable powers, a young woman discovers she is part of an ancient order tasked with fighting demons on Earth, embarking on a spiritual journey and uncovering secrets about her new life.
21. "Shadow and Bone" (2021) Rotten Tomatoes score: 84%
In a war-torn world plagued by a vast shadowy divide crawling with monsters, a young soldier discovers she has a power that could unite her country, but political and magical forces aim to manipulate or destroy her.
22. "Tales of the City" (2019) Rotten Tomatoes score: 82%
Returning to San Francisco after a long absence, Mary Ann Singleton reunites with the colorful community at 28 Barbary Lane, diving back into the lives of its LGBTQ+ residents and the new generation finding refuge there.
23. "The Summer I Turned Pretty" (2022) Rotten Tomatoes score: 74%
A coming-of-age story about a love triangle between one girl and two brothers, the evolving relationship between mothers and their children, and the enduring power of strong female friendship during one transformative summer.
A teenage girl from a small town joins a national dance academy, facing the challenges of rigorous training, competition, and the personal dramas of her new friends while pursuing her dream of becoming a professional dancer.
Set in a troubled comprehensive school, this series focuses on the lives of the students and teachers, dealing with issues such as love, loss, and the struggles of modern education in a compelling and realistic manner.
